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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a library card?

A free LaGrange Library card is available to all residents who live or own property in LaGrange or any of the five counties in the Mid-Hudson Library System: Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Greene, and Columbia. Library cards are valid for 3 years and may be renewed.

Apply Online

Apply online to receive a temporary library card number and instructions to set up a PIN. This card will allow you to check out all of the online resources that we offer for 30 days. You will need to visit the Library in person and present your photo ID with your current address (e.g. driver’s license) or proof of your current address, if different than your photo ID, to get a physical card which you can use for unlimited access to our online resources and to check out materials.

Apply in Person

Stop in the Library to fill out an application and present your photo ID with your current address (e.g. driver’s license) or proof of your current address, if different than your photo ID.


Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to co-sign and provide photo ID and proof of residence. The parent or legal guardian is also required to have their own library card.

Temporary residents may apply for a library card by filling out an application and presenting their photo ID and proof of temporary residence. Temporary cards are valid for 3 months and may be renewed.

Non-Residents, or those who reside outside of the Mid-Hudson Library System service area, may obtain a LaGrange Library card for a $25 annual fee by filling out an application and presenting their photo ID with their current address. Non-Resident library cards are valid for 1 year and may be renewed.

How do I renew my library card?

Library cards are valid for 3 years. When your library card expires, you’ll need to call or come into the Library to verify your address, phone number, and email address. Once we’ve updated your information, your card will be valid for another renewal cycle. Your library card number will remain the same.

How do I replace my library card?

To replace a lost or damaged library card, you’ll need to come into the Library and present your photo ID and proof of residence. The fee to replace your library card is $1.00.

What is my library card PIN?

Once you have your library card, you’ll need to create a PIN for logging in to your account and accessing online resources. A PIN can be a combination of letters and numbers.

How do I create an online account?

Creating an online account allows you to view your checked out items, renew items, place and modify holds, check out eBooks, access digital services and online resources, record your reading history, pay fines, and opt-in to receive text notifications.

To begin, click on Log In to My Account under Quick Links on our homepage. Enter your library card number and create a PIN, which you’ll be asked to re-enter for confirmation.

How do I renew an item?

Items may be renewed 2 times, if there are no patron holds. You can renew your items online either by logging in to your library account, calling the Library, or stopping in.

Automatic renewal

Automatic renewal of eligible items extends the date the item is due and occurs 2 days prior to the due date. Items that have patron holds, been renewed the limit of 2 times, or are ineligible for renewal, will not renew automatically. If you receive notifications by email or text, you will receive a courtesy notice informing you of those items that could and couldn’t be renewed.

How do I request an item?

If you’re looking for an item that is checked out, on order, or owned by another library in the system, you can place a hold on it and have it delivered to LaGrange or to any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System that’s convenient. Once your item is ready for pickup, you’ll be notified by phone, email, or text. You’ll have 7 library business days to pick up your requested item.

Managing Holds

By logging in to your library account you can monitor your holds, cancel a hold, or change the pickup location.

Freezing Holds

If you are going on vacation, unable to pick up your holds, or just want to time your holds to arrive when it’s more convenient, you can log in to your account to freeze (suspend) them, allowing you to keep your place in the holds queue. Once you’re able to resume picking up your items, just log in to your account and unfreeze them.

How can I keep track of what I’ve read?

Log in to your library account, go to My Bookshelf and click on Profile. Scroll to the bottom and check the box next to Keep Reading History. The system will record everything you check out from this point forward. Uncheck the box at any time to opt-out. To view your Reading History, go to My Bookshelf and click on Reading History. Use the sort and search features to organize and retrieve items.

How can I receive text notifications?

Log in to your library account, choose Sign up for Texts, and follow the instructions to begin receiving text notifications. Once you sign up, you’ll receive text notifications for holds to pickup, when items are automatically renewed, and when items are overdue. In addition to a text, you’ll continue to receive email/phone notifications.

Can I pay my fines online?

Yes, you can log in to your library account and click on Fines and Fees in My Bookshelf to pay all or part of your fines online using a credit/debit card.

How many items can I borrow and for how long?

You may have a maximum of 25 total LaGrange items checked out at any given time, which includes up to 10 media items (DVDs, Blu-rays, Music CDs, Software).

Patrons with temporary library cards can check out a maximum of 5 items per card, which includes up to 2 media items, for the first 6 months from when the card was issued.

Due to subject limitations, only 3 books per non-fiction subject may be borrowed by a family at one time.

Loan Periods

3 Days: Museum Passes
7 Days: New DVDs/Blu-rays (single disc), Magazines, Software, Music CDs
21 Days: Books, New Books, Audiobooks, Children’s Kits, DVDs/Blu-rays (single/multidisc/TV series), Rokus

Where can I return my items?

Items may be returned in the inside drop box during library hours. For your convenience, we also have a Book & Media Drop Box available 24/7 that’s located at the end of the sidewalk to the right of the building near the mailboxes. Items can also be dropped off at any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System, which includes the counties of Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Columbia and Greene.

What are your fine, fee & overdue policies?

Effective April 1, 2023, fines are not charged for items (excluding museum passes and Rokus) checked out at the LaGrange Association Library.  Items reserved from another library, but checked out at LaGrange are subject to LaGrange Association Library rules.  Items that are checked out at another library and are returned to LaGrange may accrue overdue fines if the other library is not fine free.

Fines

Museum Passes – $25 per day
Rokus – $10 per day

If you owe $10 or more in fines, your library privileges will be suspended at LaGrange Association Library and all libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System.

Fines can be paid online through your library account or in person.

Fees

Item on hold not picked up – $1 per item
Lost or damaged DVD/audio case – $5 per case
Lost or damaged audiobook disc – $10 per disc

Overdue Items

When an item is overdue 7 days past the due date, you will be sent an overdue notice.  If the item has not been returned after 14 days from the date the Library has sent the overdue notice, a bill will be issued for replacement of the item.  A replacement fee owed will be waived upon return of the item in its original condition from checkout.  An item that is returned damaged will incur a replacement fee.